Written Answers Nos. 103-123
103. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the breakdown of funds received by his Department or channelled through his Department from EU funds in 2017; and the programmes these funds supported. [9572/19]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is not in receipt of and does not have EU funds channelled though the Department.
104. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a review of legislation will be considered to allow employees who work at an embassy here to avail of rights under employment law here, including the pursuance of their cases through the appropriate workplace relations bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9594/19]
View answerThe Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 (“the Vienna Convention”) is an international treaty that provides a framework for diplomatic relations between States. The Vienna Convention was ratified by Ireland in 1967 and incorporated into Irish law by the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Act 1967. The Convention, which enjoys almost universal ratification, provides for various privileges and immunities for diplomats and certain other persons working at a Diplomatic Mission and the Missions themselves. Under the Convention, it is the duty of all persons enjoying diplomatic privileges and immunities to respect the laws and regulations of the host State, which includes applicable employment law.
Persons working for Diplomatic Missions – i.e. for foreign governments – may in certain circumstances bring legal proceedings in relation to their employment against that government, subject to the Vienna Convention and the rules of state immunity, also known as sovereign immunity. Sovereign immunity is a longstanding principle of international law which applies automatically and is not regulated by the Vienna Convention or domestic legislation. Cases of this nature are on occasion brought to the Workplace Relations Commission.
In addition to workers employed directly by Missions, there are instances in which diplomatic personnel assigned to Missions in Ireland employ private domestic employees. In such cases these relationships are expected to demonstrate respect for Irish laws and good employment practice.
This is set out in Guidelines published by my Department in 2014, which provide clear guidance and a framework for its implementation, underscoring the Government’s commitment to the protection of the rights of domestic workers in Ireland, including those employed by diplomatic staff.
The guidelines, which are available on my Department’s website, set out clearly the Government’s expectations in relevant cases regarding payment, employment records, health insurance and social security. They establish that an agreed undertaking of the terms and conditions of employment, in line with Irish employment law, should be signed by both the employer and the employee - prior to arrival in Ireland - where this is relevant.
Where sovereign or diplomatic immunity restricts legal proceedings in Ireland employment rights and standards at issue may still be enforceable in the courts of the foreign country concerned, if that state subscribes to those rights and standards.
While no review of legislation in relation to these matters is planned at present, my Department considers on an ongoing basis how best we can meet our international and national obligations in relation to these matters.
106. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to promote the inclusion of disability in international development through Irish Aid and representation at EU, UN and other international bodies. [9715/19]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is committed to addressing the needs and rights of people living with disabilities. This commitment is reflected in actions across our development cooperation programme and in our engagement with the EU, UN and other international bodies.
In March 2018 Ireland formally ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). This convention seeks to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.
The Convention recognises the importance of international cooperation in advancing its objectives and calls on all states to work in partnership with relevant international, regional and civil society organisations, in particular organisations of persons with disabilities.
My Department is making progress on disability inclusive development through our policy dialogue, through support for inclusive and accessible essential services, and through support for disability specific interventions.
At a global level we support the work of the UN Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD) to strengthen the capacities of developing countries, and in particular relevant government institutions and organisations of persons with disabilities for the effective implementation and oversight of the Convention.
Through our international development cooperation programme we provide funding to a range of civil society, bilateral and multilateral organisations engaging in health education and human rights work that specifically delivers for people living with disability.
Ireland's new international development policy will prioritise reaching those further behind first, including people with disabilities. Through the implementation of this policy my Department will continue its efforts to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities.
107. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to develop the embassy in Monrovia to full ambassador strength; if he will directly support civil society in Liberia; and if the regulations for education fellowships will be loosened. [9716/19]
View answerIreland opened an Embassy in Liberia in June 2018, part of the Global Ireland 2025 initiative. Ireland's diplomatic presence in Liberia will be increased to two diplomats from September 2019. Upgrading the development office in Liberia and the posting of Irish staff to Monrovia is a further step towards strengthening Ireland's presence in West Africa.
Embassy Monrovia is in the process of completing a new five-year Mission Strategy for Ireland's development cooperation relationship with Liberia. The strategy will promote the empowerment of women and girls, improve health care, reduce malnutrition and gender-based violence. We will continue to support inclusive democratic processes. As Ireland's relationship with Liberia deepens over the lifetime of the new strategy, the question of staffing the mission will be kept under review.
Ireland will continue to work with a range of partners in Liberia, including civil society organisations and UN agencies.
The Fellowship Training Programme, which awards scholarships for full-time study at Masters level at an Irish higher level institution is open to candidates from Liberia. A review of the Fellowship Training Programme more generally is underway and will, when completed, make recommendations as to future directions.
108. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to release the terms of reference, members of the board and allow oral hearings regarding the results of the 2018 election observer roster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9717/19]
View answer109. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of the election observer roster members; and the country of residence of each. [9718/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 109 together.
I refer the Deputy to the responses to the following Parliamentary Questions tabled during the months of January and February which provide further information on the election observation roster and the recent roster selection process: Question Numbers 59, 60 and 61 of 23 January, No. 120 of 29 January, Nos. 80 and 81 of 30 January, Nos. 146, 147 and 153 of 5 February, Nos. 61 and 65 of 6 February, No. 58 of 7 February, Nos. 124 and 138 of 12 February, No. 71 of 13 February, No. 129 of 19 February and No. 84 of 20 February 2019.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains and administers a roster of suitably skilled individuals who are available to participate in election observation missions overseas, organised in the main by the EU and the OSCE. A new roster was put in place in January 2019 following a Call for Volunteers which issued in July 2018.
In the interest of fairness, an appeals process was made available to unsuccessful applicants. The appeals process does not involve oral hearings. The terms of reference are attached in the response to this Parliamentary Question and will be made available on the Irish Aid website.
The appeals panel consists of an external chair - a retired Ambassador - and a serving official of the Department, with combined experience in multilateral work, overseas election observation, human rights and democratisation.
110. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress to date in the Brexit negotiations in ensuring that the rights and entitlements provided for in the Good Friday Agreement for persons living in Northern Ireland are fully protected and not diminished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9731/19]
View answerThe Government remains firmly of the view that the only way to ensure an orderly withdrawal from the EU is to ratify the Withdrawal Agreement as endorsed by the European Council and agreed with the UK Government.
The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland includes a commitment that "The United Kingdom shall ensure that no diminution of rights, safeguards and equality of opportunity as set out in that part of the 1998 Agreement ... results from its withdrawal from the Union." Annex 1 of the Protocol lists the EU Directives that have been adopted by the European Union in this area. The commitment to no diminution applies further to all rights, safeguards and equality of opportunity concepts set out in the Good Friday Agreement. The United Kingdom is to set out its commitments in this respect, as well as on the operation of the dedicated mechanisms which form part of its implementation of this commitment.
The Protocol also confirms that Irish citizens in Northern Ireland "will continue to enjoy, exercise and have access to rights, opportunities and benefits" that come with EU citizenship. Further engagement is needed on which EU rights, opportunities or benefits can be exercised by the people of Northern Ireland who are Irish and therefore EU citizens, when they are resident in Northern Ireland, which will be outside the territory of the European Union after the UK departure. The negotiations on the future relationship of the UK with the European Union will be an important factor in this regard. There is an onus on the UK Government to protect the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts in any scenario and it should ensure relevant issues, including possible future UK participation in EU funds and programmes, are part of its detailed position and pursued in the discussions on the EU-UK future relationship.
However, under any scenario for the UK’s exit from the European Union, the obligations and commitments of the Irish and UK Governments under the Good Friday Agreement remain and the Government will continue to work with the UK Government as co-guarantor to secure the full implementation of the Agreement.
In this context, the Government has noted and welcomes the commitment by Prime Minister May in her speech in Belfast on 5 February, that the British Government "will uphold the rights enshrined in the Belfast Agreement for all the people of Northern Ireland, right across the whole community. This includes upholding commitments around mutual respect, religious liberties, equality of opportunity, tolerance and rights." The Government also noted and welcomes the Prime Minister's acknowledgement that "the birth right to identify and be accepted as British, Irish or both, and to hold both British and Irish citizenship is absolutely central to the Agreement."
These are welcome commitments and acknowledgements by Prime Minister May. I have raised with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland the need for the citizenship and identity provisions of the Good Friday Agreement to be fully taken account of in all relevant policy areas, and there has been ongoing engagement between our officials, including through the British-Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat.
The Government will continue to engage with the UK Government as co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement on this important issue in any scenario.
111. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance the efforts he has made to ascertain the number of persons in receipt of the qualified adult dependant increase on the State pension (contributory) affected by a ruling of the High Court of 29 June 2018 who are the beneficial owners of the income and therefore entitled to PAYE tax credit and increased rate band; if all recipients are being contacted in relation to same; and if his Department has issued refunds. [9150/19]
View answer122. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons who had pension statements amended and refunds issued for qualifying years (details supplied). [9148/19]
View answer123. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance the rationale for amending section 126(2)(b) of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 with effect from 1 January 2014 in view of the fact the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection regarded a qualified adult dependant as income of the beneficiary of the State pension and therefore neither the PAYE credit nor increased rate band were due to the dependant in respect of the income from this date. [9149/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 111, 122 and 123 together.
The Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 provides for the payment of an increase in the amount of weekly state pension where the beneficiary has a qualified adult dependent.
Section 126 of the Taxes Consolidation Act (TCA) 1997 deals with the tax treatment of certain benefits payable under the Social Welfare Acts.
By way of context, I am advised by Revenue that although the qualifying adult portion of a pension is paid directly to the qualified adult, this payment is premised on there being an entitlement to the pension in the first instance. As stated in section 112 of the Social Welfare Consolidation 2005 Act, the qualified adult portion is an “increase” in the pension and is payable in respect of a spouse/civil partner/cohabitant who is being financially maintained and whose income is not greater than a specified amount. Finance (No.2) Act 2013, inserted subsection (2B) into section 126 with effect from 1 January 2014. Subsection (2B) provides that for all the purposes of the Income Tax Acts, any increase in the state pension in respect of a qualified adult dependent is treated as if it arises to and is payable to the beneficiary of the pension, that is, the person who qualifies for the pension. The intention behind the change to s. 126 in s. 12 of Finance Act (No. 2) 2013 was to put beyond doubt that the beneficiary of a Department of Social Protection pension is assessable on the aggregate of the pension and the amount by which the pension is increased for a qualified adult. Consequently, for the tax years 2014 onwards, one employee (PAYE) tax credit only is available in respect of the pension, including the qualified adult dependent increase, and there is no entitlement to any increase in the amount charged to income tax at the standard rate as a result of the qualified adult dependent increase.
In the details supplied, the Deputy refers to the ruling of the High Court on 26 June 2018, which determined that (prior to the enactment of Finance (No.2) Act 2013) a qualified adult dependent for the purposes of the old age contributory pension was beneficially entitled, in his or her own right, to the amount of the increase of the pension payment. The High Court case in question was a Case Stated of a determination of the Tax Appeals Commission which found in favour of the taxpayer’s claim that an additional, second employee (PAYE) tax credit and extended standard rate income band were due to the taxpayer for 2012 and 2013 in relation to the receipt of the qualifying adult dependent increase in the pension.
I am informed by Revenue that there was a review of Revenue’s systems for the relevant years prior to 2014 to identify valid claims for refunds. In accordance with Section 865 of the TCA 1997, a valid claim is made where a person furnishes a statement or return within a period of four years following the tax year to which the claim relates. Some 370 cases with valid claims were identified in respect of the issue determined by the High Court. The cases in question were reviewed and refunds of the order of €0.7m, including interest, were processed. A small number of cases are still being finalised.
112. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Finance if Ireland, through its appointed director to the European Investment Bank, will support the cessation of lending to fossil fuel projects through the new energy lending policy of the bank in 2019 in view of commitments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9151/19]
View answerOn 10 January of 2019, the European Investment Bank launched a three-month public consultation to develop a new Energy Lending Policy that supports EU 2030 energy policy and climate targets. During this consultation period, the EIB will engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including shareholders, industry associations, civil society and the private sector. The EIB held a consultation meeting yesterday (25 February) in Brussels to engage directly with all stakeholders interested in a direct exchange with the Bank about the review. I understand that written contributions on the consultation document can be sent to the Bank before a deadline of 29 March.
The new Energy Lending Policy is expected to come before the EIB Board of Directors for approval during this coming Autumn. In advance of this, it is not possible to pre-empt the outcome of the consultation process or Board discussions with regard to the Bank’s stance on funding fossil fuel projects under its new Energy Lending Policy.
The Bank’s existing approach towards supporting the energy sector is set out in its Energy Lending Criteria (ELC) which was adopted in 2013. As part of the ELC, the Bank introduced an Emissions Performance Standard (EPS) – a safeguard designed to ensure that the Bank only supports plants that contribute to reducing average emission levels. While the ELC notes that “the current and, in all likelihood, future EU energy policy does not prohibit the construction of any new fossil fuel fired power stations”, the Bank’s use of the EPS effectively rules out the possibility of financing of new coal or lignite fired power stations and potentially other fossil fuel power stations. A recent evaluation of the current policy therefore concluded that the ELC and, particularly, the application of the EIB EPS, has resulted in the Lending Criteria being more stringent than wider EU Energy Policy.
Under the ELC, fossil fuel related projects are only considered by the EIB in exceptional circumstances. Projects which contribute to the security of supply of isolated energy systems such as small islands with no feasible mainland energy connection and only where there is no economically viable alternative, or in the poorest countries outside the EU where it can be demonstrated that projects with carbon emissions above the threshold will have a significant and material positive impact on poverty alleviation and economic development would define such rare cases.
Ireland’s position on the new energy lending policy in the EIB will be guided by Government policy in relation to climate change and energy.
113. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Finance if the carbon tax that applies to peat extracted for fuel, horticultural or other purposes will be extended in view of the fact that the emissions of greenhouse gases are the same irrespective of the way in which the peat is oxidised. [9469/19]
View answerSection 77 of the Finance Act 2010 provides that for the purposes of the solid fuel carbon tax, ‘solid fuel’ means coal or peat. Specific rates of solid fuel carbon tax apply to coal, peat briquettes, milled peat and other peat of €52.67, €36.67, €17.99 and €27.25 per tonne respectively.
Section 77 also provides that:
- ‘milled peat’ means ‘granulated peat that is supplied for use as a fuel’
- ‘other peat’ means ‘peat other than milled peat and briquettes that is supplied for use as a fuel’.
Therefore, milled peat and other peat are not currently liable to solid fuel carbon tax when supplied for purposes other than use as a fuel, such as for horticultural purposes.
Section 78 of the Finance Act 2010 outlines that the rates of solid fuel carbon tax for each category of solid fuel are in proportion to the emissions of CO2 from the combustion of the solid fuel concerned.
Decisions on the scope of solid fuel carbon tax or the rates of tax involved are the subject of annual review as part of the Tax Strategy Group and annual Budget processes.
114. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance the number of new electric vehicles registered by each local authority in each of the past five years in tabular form. [9606/19]
View answerI am informed by Revenue that the number of new electric vehicles registered by county in each of the past five years is provided below.
|
County |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
CORK |
24 |
73 |
49 |
75 |
123 |
|
CLARE |
3 |
13 |
14 |
16 |
25 |
|
CAVAN |
0 |
3 |
2 |
8 |
12 |
|
CARLOW |
4 |
2 |
3 |
7 |
16 |
|
DUBLIN |
102 |
167 |
157 |
257 |
630 |
|
DONEGAL |
1 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
14 |
|
GALWAY |
9 |
24 |
16 |
35 |
49 |
|
KILDARE |
14 |
41 |
21 |
43 |
66 |
|
KILKENNY |
3 |
10 |
8 |
8 |
16 |
|
KERRY |
3 |
19 |
6 |
5 |
23 |
|
LIMERICK |
7 |
8 |
15 |
25 |
28 |
|
LONGFORD |
0 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
8 |
|
LOUTH |
2 |
12 |
4 |
12 |
47 |
|
LEITRIM |
1 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
2 |
|
LAOIS |
2 |
5 |
6 |
4 |
15 |
|
MEATH |
19 |
23 |
21 |
23 |
42 |
|
MONAGHAN |
2 |
5 |
1 |
4 |
7 |
|
MAYO |
2 |
8 |
5 |
10 |
19 |
|
OFFALY |
1 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
0 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
8 |
|
SLIGO |
0 |
1 |
5 |
1 |
7 |
|
TIPPERARY |
3 |
12 |
14 |
22 |
23 |
|
WATERFORD |
9 |
15 |
9 |
11 |
24 |
|
WESTMEATH |
2 |
5 |
7 |
16 |
30 |
|
WICKLOW |
18 |
25 |
23 |
37 |
58 |
|
WEXFORD |
8 |
16 |
11 |
24 |
41 |
115. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Finance if insurance companies will receive a guarantee that premiums will go down if a Garda insurance fraud unit is established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9654/19]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Cost of Insurance Working Group (CIWG) proposed exploring the possibility that a specific unit, funded by the insurance industry, be established within An Garda Síochána to tackle insurance fraud. However, I have been informed that the Garda Commissioner has indicated his preference that, in principle, An Garda Síochána should not be funded by any source other than the exchequer for the purposes of tackling such matters. He has however indicated his willingness to continue to look at establishing an improved investigative capacity within the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) in the area of insurance fraud overall. The Deputy will, of course, appreciate that it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the allocation of resources within An Garda Síochána and neither I nor the Minister for Justice and Equality has a role in such operational matters.
It is important to note that an industry-funded Garda unit was a single mechanism proposed as a potential means by which to implement the intent behind the relevant recommendation, the wording of which calls for An Garda Síochána to explore the potential for further cooperation between it and the insurance sector in relation to insurance fraud investigation. In this regard, much constructive engagement has taken place through the Fraud Roundtable, which was formed by the CIWG primarily to implement Recommendation 13 of the Report on the Cost of Employer and Public Liability Insurance, work which culminated in the publication by An Garda Síochána of the Guidelines for the Reporting of Suspected Fraudulent Insurance Claims by Insurance Entities to An Garda Síochána in October 2018. A particularly positive ‘spin-off’ development from the Roundtable has been that the GNECB and Insurance Ireland’s Anti-Fraud Forum – which is drawn from the fraud sections of the major individual insurers – have committed to meet on a regular basis in order to discuss and act upon current and ongoing general issues which arise in the area of insurance fraud.
In relation to the proposal that insurance companies provide (which it is presumed was the intended word in the Deputy’s question, instead of “receive”) a guarantee to reduce premium levels, I believe there is a need to be careful about requesting such commitments, particularly in the context of competition in the sector, as it may send a signal to other insurers about what pricing levels might be. This is particularly the case in the context of ongoing investigations into the insurance sector by both the European Commission and the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.
However, the above said, I would expect that insurers’ pricing of premiums in general would take account of the measures which have been, and are being, implemented as a result of the CIWG recommendations more broadly and I believe that insurers themselves recognise this. In this regard, I would recall that Justice Nicholas Kearns, the Chairperson of the Personal Injuries Commission (PIC), noted in the foreword of its second report that insurance industry representatives on the PIC repeatedly stated that, as award levels and associated costs account for the bulk of the cost of insurance, if claims costs come down and are maintained at a consistent and predictable level, then premiums will also reduce accordingly.
Overall, it is envisaged that the full implementation of all the recommendations taken cumulatively, with the appropriate levels of commitment and cooperation from all relevant stakeholders, can achieve the objectives of delivering fairer premiums for consumers and businesses, and a more stable and competitive insurance market.
116. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Finance if VAT on natural gas bills is calculated including the carbon tax or minus the carbon tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9041/19]
View answerVAT is governed by the EU VAT Directive, with which Irish VAT law must comply. Article 78 of the VAT Directive provides that the taxable amount shall include “taxes, duties, levies and charges, excluding the VAT itself”. The amount on which VAT is chargeable, in accordance with section 37(1) of the Value-Added Tax Consolidation Act 2010, is the total consideration receivable by the supplier, “including all taxes, commissions, costs and charges whatsoever” but not including the VAT itself.
In this respect, in the case of a gas bill, which includes carbon tax, VAT law dictates that VAT should be calculated on the carbon tax element of the bill as well as the charge for the service. More information is available on the Revenue website: www.Revenue.ie.
117. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance if all banks should adhere to the Central Bank code of conduct on mortgage arrears; the action taken by the regulator if a bank is found not to be following this code of conduct; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9088/19]
View answer121. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the decision of a bank (details supplied) in respect to the Central Bank code of conduct on mortgage arrears; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9140/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 121 together.
The Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears (CCMA) forms part of the Central Bank’s Consumer Protection Framework. It is a statutory Code first introduced by the Central Bank in February 2009, with the current CCMA becoming effective from 1 July 2013.
The CCMA provides a strong consumer protection framework, requiring relevant firms to ensure borrowers in arrears or pre-arrears in respect of a mortgage loan secured on a primary residence are treated in a timely, transparent and fair manner and that due regard is had to the fact that each case of mortgage arrears is unique and needs to be considered on its own merits. The CCMA recognises that it is in the interests of borrowers and regulated firms to address financial difficulties as speedily, effectively and sympathetically as circumstances allow.
The CCMA is a statutory code issued under Section 117 of the Central Bank Act 1989 and must be complied by all regulated entities as a matter of law. The Central Bank can take action against a regulated entity which does not comply with the CCMA (for example by imposing a direction on such entity or taking enforcement action under the Central Bank’s Administrative Sanctions Procedure).
118. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Finance the number of operational customs officials; the number that will be operational on 29 March 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9100/19]
View answerRevenue is a fully integrated tax and customs administration. Revenue currently has approximately 2,100 staff engaged on activities that are dedicated to targeting and confronting non-compliance. These front-line activities include anti-smuggling and anti-evasion, investigation and prosecution, audit, assurance checks, anti-avoidance, returns compliance and debt collection.
Revenue had approximately 800 staff assigned to customs specific work which covers service to support compliance and to confront non-compliance in September 2019. Following recent recruitment and appointments there are currently over 1,000 staff assigned to these functions.
Revenue are on track to have approximately 1,200 staff assigned to customs specific work which covers service to support compliance and to confront non-compliance by end March 2019. Additional staff have also been assigned to Brexit related support functions including policy, legislation, information technology and training.
119. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the amount drawn down to date of the €490 million loan secured from the EIB to construct the national children’s hospital; if a further loan is being considered in view of increased costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9125/19]
View answerThe European Investment Bank is providing a loan of €490 million to Ireland to part-support the construction of the new children’s hospital and associated outpatient and urgent care centres. I am informed by the National Treasury Management Agency that €245 million of this loan has so far been drawn down.
The Department of Health have advised that there are no current plans for a further loan for this project.
120. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Finance the party to which land at a location (details supplied) in the possession of NAMA was recently sold. [9138/19]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that NAMA does not own or sell properties. Rather NAMA’s role is as secured lender and the properties securing its loans remain under the control of their registered owners, or in the case of enforcement, the appointed receiver.
I am advised that the property referenced by the Deputy was controlled by a NAMA-appointed receiver and that the property was recently sold following an open market sales process which was managed by the receiver. The appointed receiver has a fiduciary duty to maximise the return for assets under their control and that NAMA, under Section 10 of the NAMA Act, is obliged to obtain, from its secured assets, the best achievable financial return for the State.
The Deputy will be aware that I, as Minister for Finance, have no role in respect of NAMA's commercial operations or decisions. Accordingly, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on individual transactions.
